Page 7 of The Healer and the Vampire
"What's going on?" Conrad asked, and his tone was lighter, and the fear in his voice was fading. Conrad stood and took a couple of steps toward Remi. "Why did he congratulate you? Am I in a lot of trouble?" The questions flowed, and his gradual ease with Remi was building. Remi stood there and listened, letting him get it all out before answering any of the myriad questions.
"Let's go to the conference room, the chairs are more comfortable, and I'll order you something to eat." Remi held out his hand toward the door, beckoning him to go, but it took him a few seconds to actually get moving. His confusion was tying him in knots, and Remi planned to work on an explanation as soon as they were in the privacy of the conference room.
Remi took him by the arm and hurried him along to the elevator, not in the mood to field too many questions at themoment. His wonderful discovery was fresh, and he needed time to understand what he had and what was ahead of him.
He also wanted to get a feel for what Conrad knew and what he would have to explain in terms of their new relationship. He was aware of the paranormal, but that didn't mean he had any knowledge of their customs and culture regarding beloveds.
They got out on the main floor, and Remi led him to a large room beyond the lobby, off to the left, down a hallway. It was a pleasant space, although Remi would have preferred something more personal, but taking him to his room could be taken the wrong way.
Conrad had remained silent in the elevator but kept sneaking glances at him. He was trying to figure him out, but with Fate's hand in the mix, he could not read him. If he relaxed and reached out with his heart, he would get a basis or a foundation of their emotional connection, but he seemed to be too busy fretting.
Remi had ordered a light meal of salad, rolls, and lemonade. He wasn't sure of Conrad's taste, but he got the feeling he wasn't in the mood for anything heavy. "Is there anything else you'd like?" He asked once the meal was set up and they had taken their seats at the end of the long table. Conrad shook his head and then began on his salad. He was hungry and not trying to hide it; this gratified Remi.
"The man you helped was taken to the hospital, examined, and released, apart from a scar on his heart that was quickly regenerating; he had no issues," Remi stated, and Conrad stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth and glanced up at Remi.
"That's good, I was afraid I might have been too late." Conrad set his fork down and took a long sip of his lemonade.Remi watched him and waited, hoping he was going to open up, and he did.
"I'm sorry, I know I've been acting odd and refusing to answer direct questions, but I don't know who I can trust. Lately, I trust no one and definitely not anyone from the paranormal community." Remi smiled at his inadvertent put-down, and Conrad quickly apologized.
"I didn't mean that the paranormal are all untrustworthy, but just that the ones I've met have been less than stellar."
"I understand, and we feel the same about humans, so it takes time, but eventually we figure it out." Remi then launched into a brief outline of vampire culture and tried to pick up on anything Conrad already knew. It was a bit off subject, but Conrad didn't complain.
“Vampires keep to themselves, and it took our Coven over fifty years of living beside the wolves before we began to trust them and they us. But with that said, let me assure you that I will never lie or deceive you, that I am dedicated to your health and welfare, and that you can lean on me and I will always be there. Look into my eyes and tell me what you see." Remi locked his gaze with Conrad, who was tense but also anticipatory. He was coming on strong, but he wanted to get past the introduction and get onto their future.
"We are a Fated bond. I see it in your eyes, and I feel it in my heart." That utterance took Remi completely by surprise, and he let it show. His eyes popped wide for a second before he schooled his features.
“Yes, we are.” He told him honestly and waited for whatever was next.
"I know what that is. I lived among vampires, and it was always a hot topic with them. I saw it once with a bartender whowas a vampire and a waitress who was human. It changed the vampire in that his tendency to be a raging asshole at all times was tempered to being a raging asshole only sometimes and never when she was around.” He smiled when Remi laughed.
"It definitely can improve a person's mood and outlook on life," Remi interjected.
"How about you? How do you feel about it?" Conrad was fishing and trying not to seem too invested in Remi's answer, but the stricken look that flashed in his eyes spoke of his insecurities.
"I'm quite okay with it." He said without hesitation. "Fate is never wrong; her matches are always perfect. She brought you here to me at this time for a reason. You're young, and she may have waited a few years to bring us together, except for the fact that you are currently in significant danger." Conrad reached his hand out tentatively to touch Remi's, and Remi responded by taking his hand and holding it loosely.
"I'm nineteen and old enough to take care of myself, which I have done for quite some time. My brother has never been a caregiver . . . I looked out for myself."
"I didn't mean to demean your age. I was only pointing out that Fate brought you to me to protect you and to secure our bond." Remi really didn't mean to insult him. He would remember that age and vulnerability were touchy points for Conrad.
“You don’t want to bond with me because I’m a dumb kid? You wish that Fate had waited a while so you could decide if I was worth your time.” Conrad was getting worked up, and Remi was at a loss for the cause or how to backtrack.
Conrad's eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill, and Remi jumped to his feet and snatched Conrad from his chair, picking him up and crushing him to his chest. He wasovercome by Conrad's emotional burst and was attempting to channel his feelings and the excitement he felt at finding Conrad.
“I wish for nothing apart from what Fate has most generously given me. I wasn’t judging, I was only explaining our present situation.” Remi was careful with his words this time
Remi had never lost control like that before. Conrad's needs overruled everything else, and he was compelled to comfort him. Conrad leaned into the embrace, and slowly, Remi felt his arms raise and felt Conrad wrapping them around his waist, and held on just as Remi was holding on. "This feels good," Conrad said in a breathless tone, his face pressed against Remi's chest. It did feel good, really good, and Remi hoped that the pull would bring Conrad to him physically and emotionally.
CHAPTER FIVE
They'd only just met, so figuring each other out was going to take time, patience, and luck on his part. Luckily, he didn't repeatedly stick his foot in his mouth as he attempted to chart this course to a stable and loving relationship. Misunderstandings were a curse to new bonds and beginnings, and Remi did not want to go there.
"I want to bond with you, Conrad. You are my beloved, and I am not complete without you. Please don't think that there is anything about you that would deter me from pursuing what Fate has gifted me." Remi spoke from his heart, desperate to make himself clear.
“I’m pleased that you are human because humans are so loyal and they love so deeply and completely. I’m pleased that you are self-reliant because in my world, you never know what's coming." Remi tried some truths which, combined with the emotional awareness he was getting from the embrace, should help Conrad to trust him a little, at least. Conrad responded with some truths of his own.
“I feel a fiery attraction to you and have felt it since first seeing you. Your scent, the warm spicy amber, tantalized me in the parking lot, and I just kept drinking it in. It is all comingtogether for me now, the attraction and your amazing scent." Conrad continued to hold him in their embrace, giving them both the strength and clarity to say what they wanted to say. “Did you scent me as well?”
